Portable gym using gravitational forces
A portable gym using gravitational forces of the present invention includes a gravity gym assembly and a belt harness. The gravity gym assembly includes a door anchor that is attachable to any doorway having a door, and an adjustable strap that leads to a pulley through which a cable passes. The cable is equipped with detachable handles on each end and may be advanced back and forth through the pulley when forces are applied to the handles. A series of exercises may be accomplished by varying body position, and exercises the entire body by using the person's body weight for resistance. In an alternative embodiment, the portable gym using gravitational forces may include attachment of the cable ends to the belt harness worn around the waist of the athlete and provides for the stabilization and application of resistance on the body while exercising. Exercises that are primarily performed in the gym, including, strengthening shoulder, arm, chest, back, leg, and abdominal core muscle groups, and performing cardiovascular and plyometric movements, can be performed virtually anywhere using the portable gym using gravitational forces of the present invention.
The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Pocket Perfect Gym”, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and currently co-pending.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to exercise devices. The present invention is more particularly, though not exclusively, useful as an exercise device to perform exercises that are typically performed in the gym, and can be performed anywhere with a strong structural base such as a door way, tree branch or fence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEarly history has provided evidence that man has long been aware of the benefits of physical fitness, and in the development of strong muscles. In fact, the Spartans and Greeks are thought to be some of the most physically fit societies that have ever existed. As early as the 18th century, man has developed exercise devices to assist with the development of muscles and general fitness.
One of the first known exercise devices was the “chamber horse” designed in the late 18th century. This device included a chair-like seat having a series of springs under the seat portion and a pair of handles extending from the arms of the chair. The person exercising would grip each handle, and bounce up and down to simulate the riding of a horse, to strengthen the legs an torso.
While the “chamber horse” was a very basic and rudimentary device, it represents the start of a trend that included the introduction of exercise devices into the mainstream household. Over the centuries, there have been many improvements on the chamber horse, and the creation of an endless variety of exercise devices.
Hand-in-hand with the growing popularity of exercise devices came the growing awareness of the day-to-day benefits of strength and cardiovascular fitness. Perhaps one of the best known advocates of fitness and strength training was Angelo Siciliano (later known as Charles Atlas) who developed the “Charles Atlas Exercise Program” in the early 1920s. The Atlas program is likely one of the longest-lasting programs to date, and owes is longevity in part to the consistent advertising of the “Dynamic Tension” exercise program. “Dynamic Tension” is a self-resistance exercise method which pits muscle against muscle. The practitioner tenses the muscles of given body part and then moves the body part against the tension as if a heavy weight was being lifted. “Dynamic Tension” exercises are not merely isometrics, since they include movement. Instead, the method comprises a combination of exercises in three disciplines: isotonic, isokinetic, and some exercises in the isometric discipline. No apparatus are required to practice Atlas' “Dynamic Tension” program, and thus it was affordable and appealed to many as the in-home fitness solution.
Following in the footsteps of Charles Atlas, Jack LaLanne and Joe Weider each came up with their own personal physical fitness program that included diet, exercise, and weight training. Unlike Atlas' program, however, both LaLanne and Weider programs required the use of weight training. In fact, Weider developed an entire line of weight-lifting and bodybuilding exercise equipment to accompany his fitness program.
Modern day exercise devices for building and strengthening muscles range from the basic barbell and weight bench, to large-scale universal gyms. The “Universal Gym” was developed in 1957 and was the first multi-station selectable-weight training machine. Over the years, the “Universal Gym” has gradually been replaced by highly engineered weight training stations.
In addition to weight-based devices, a variety of exercise devices have been designed to focus equally on cardiovascular fitness. These devices include computerized stationary bicycles, treadmills, stair-stepping machines, elliptical trainers, and rowing machines. These devices are used to elevate heart rate for a sustained period of time to improve the cardiovascular health.
While fitness techniques have ranged from the “Dynamic Tension” exercises promoted by Atlas, to the equipment-based exercises promoted by LaLanne and others, there is a gap in the available products and techniques. Specifically, the “Dynamic Tension” techniques are limited by the absence of any apparatus designed to improve specific muscle strength and function. On the other hand, the equipment-based exercises require expensive, bulky, and often very complicated, gym equipment. As a result of these two disparate options, a person must choose between an at-home, equipment-less exercise program, or invest thousands of dollars to purchase the latest state-of-the-art equipment for home or join a gym that has that equipment available at an often significant cost.
In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide an exercise device that provides the athlete with the apparatus necessary to exercise fully all muscle groups in the body. It would also be advantageous to provide an exercise device that is portable thus eliminating the need for bulky equipment or gym memberships. It is further advantageous to provide an exercise device that is easy to set up, easy to use, and comparatively cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe portable gym using gravitational forces of the present invention includes a gravity gym assembly and a belt harness. The gravity gym assembly includes a door anchor that is attachable to any doorway having a door, and an adjustable strap that leads to a pulley through which a cable passes. The cable is equipped with detachable handles on each end and may be advanced back and forth through the pulley when forces are applied to the handles. A series of exercises may be accomplished by varying body position, and exercises the entire body by using the person's body weight for resistance. In an alternative embodiment, the portable gym using gravitational forces may include attachment of the cable ends to the belt harness. The belt harness is worn around the waist of the athlete and provides for the stabilization and application of resistance on the body while exercising.
Exercises that are primarily performed in the gym, including, strengthening shoulder, arm, chest, back, leg, and abdominal core muscle groups, and performing cardiovascular and plyometric movements, can be performed virtually anywhere using the portable gym using gravitational forces of the present invention.
The objects, features, and advantages of the method according to the invention will be more clearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring initially to
Gravity gym 102 assembly includes a door anchor 110. Door anchor 110 includes a stop 112 that is enlarged compared to the relatively thin door anchor strap 114. As will be discussed in greater detail in conjunction with
Clip ring 116 attaches anchor strap 114 to ring 118 that is attached to leader strap 120. Adjustable clamp 122 attaches leader strap 120 to adjustable strap 124 so that the overall length of the combination of leader strap 120 and adjustable strap 124 can be adjusted and secured. This adjustment capability provides for the use of the gravity gym assembly in nearly any setting.
Adjustable strap 124 ends with a ring 125 that attaches to clip ring 126 which clips to a pulley 128. Pulley 128 includes an axle 132 which supports a wheel 130 sized to receive a cable 134. In a preferred embodiment, cable 134 may be a polymer encased steel cable to provide suitable durability and strength. Alternative cabling as is known in the art may be used without departing from the present invention.
Each end of cable 134 includes a cable stop 136 and loop 138. Cable stop 136 is sized so that the cable stop 136 cannot pass through pulley 128 thereby preventing the cable 134 from passing entirely through pulley 128. A clip ring 140 attaches to loop 138 and may be attached to a handle 142. Specifically, handle 142 is formed with a ring 144 that is removably clipped to clip ring 140 to secure the handle 142 to the gravity gym assembly 102.
The portable gym using gravitational forces 100 of the present invention also includes the belt harness 104. The harness 104 includes a strap pad 160 which is attached to an elongated strap 162 having an adjustable clip 164 on one end, and a clip receiver 166 on the other end. It is to be appreciated that adjustable clip 164 provides for the adjustment of the length of strap 162 and is securely received in clip receiver 166 so as to secure the belt harness around an athlete's body, such as the waist or chest.
A pouch 170 may be attached to, or formed integral to, strap pad 160 and equipped with a zipper 172. In a preferred embodiment, gravity gym assembly 102 can be stored fully within pouch 170 of the belt harness 104 to provide for the easy and convenient transportation and storage. Moreover, because the portable gym 100 using gravitational forces of the present invention is highly versatile, the ability to easily transport the gym on an athlete's waist is highly advantageous for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. An accessory pouch 174 attached to strap pad 160 provides additional storage for an athlete during these periods of transportation, and are perfectly suited for personal electronics, such as cellular telephones and i-pods.
A pair of belt rings 176 are securely attached to the strap 162 adjacent each end of strap pad 160. As will be shown in greater detail in conjunction with
Referring to
As shown in this Figure, athlete 200 is facing away from door 210 and gripping handles 142 and engaged in exercise of the torso 202, right arm 204 and left arm 206. As can be understood from this Figure, when right arm 204 is moved forward and away from the door 210, cable 134 passes through pulley 128 causing left arm 206 to move backwards toward door 210.
Referring now to
As shown, gravity gym 100 is attached to a door 210 and door frame 208, and cable 134 is taut. In this configuration, athlete 200 may engage in a number of exercise routines, and has freedom of movement in rotational directions 222, as well as side to side 226 and 228 motion. In some exercises, a padding, or slide mat, 230 may be used to allow the cushion or sliding of feet 224.
Referring now to
Anchor strap 114 is shown to be formed with a loop 150 through which clip ring 116 passes. As will be more fully discussed in conjunction with
The portable gym using gravitational forces 100 of the present invention is designed to be useful for accomplishing a near unlimited number of exercises focusing on the strengthening of all muscle groups, and providing a cardiovascular workout. In order to demonstrate the versatility of the portable gym using gravitational forces 100, a number of exercises are depicted in the drawings. It is to be understood that these exercises depicted are merely exemplary of the versatility of the present invention, and are not in any way to be construed as a limitation on the specific exercises, or environments, for which the present invention may be utilized.
A basic arm curl exercise is shown in
Referring now to
More specifically, in
Referring to
In
The various exercises that have been shown herein have demonstrated the bilateral exercise of the arms; however, it is to be appreciated that the specific exercises may be performed using both arms, or may also be performed using only one arm. In this manner, a specific muscle, or muscle group can be isolated for a more focused workout.
It is also to be appreciated that in the process of utilizing the present invention, resistance can be introduced into the workout by adjusting the position of the feet, as well as by applying counter-forces by the opposing limb. For instance, when doing a one-armed exercise, the second arm must counteract the movement of the cable thereby increasing the resistance experienced by the athlete. An example of this bi-directional force would include a biceps of one arm being contracted to draw that arm towards the body, while the triceps of the other arm must be contracted to push the other arm away from the body.
Also, in a preferred embodiment, axle 132 may not allow wheel 130 to rotate freely within pulley 128 thereby introducing additional resistance into the system thereby providing a more vigorous exercise. Additional resistance can be introduced by attaching the portable gym using gravitational forces 100 of the present invention to a suspended structure, such as a ceiling joist or elevated tree limb. In this configuration (not shown), the athlete can be completely suspended from the ground by grasping the handles 142 and will experience 100% of the gravitational forces exerted on the body. By utilizing the portable gym using gravitational forces 100 of the present invention the athlete can strengthen his upper-body muscle groups by performing one-arm pull-ups, two arm pull-ups, and the abdomen and back by performing crunches and leg lifts.
As shown in
The combination of exercises shown in
Exercise can include the athlete pulling the handles together or separately toward the body then slowly extend, lifting the user upright against gravity, and back down to the original position to complete the basic movement. The athlete can then repeat for the number of desired repetitions.
When standing and facing away from the pulley, the athlete presses the adjustment clamp to the desired height position, holds both handles, extends the arms fully and leans forward. By adjusting the placement of the feet towards the support, the forces experiences can vary from a little (easy) or a lot (harder) depending on the desired resistance.
This exercise can include the athlete pulling the handles together or separately away from the body then slowly return, lifting the user upright against gravity, and back down to the original position to complete the basic movement. The athlete can then repeat for the number of desired repetitions.
An alternative exercise may include performing cardiovascular, legs, abs and plyometric movements by attaching the belt harness to the pulley cable and placing the harness around the waist facing forward or backward depending on the preferred exercise.
While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A portable gym using gravitational forces, comprising:
- a gravity gym assembly and a belt harness;
- said gravity gym assembly comprising:
- a door anchor attachable to any doorway having a door,
- an adjustable strap that leads to a pulley through which a cable passes,
- said cable equipped with detachable handles on each end advancable back and forth through the pulley when forces are applied to the handles.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 16, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 2, 2014
Inventor: Danny Thai Hester (Ventura, CA)
Application Number: 12/799,078
International Classification: A63B 21/00 (20060101);